“For the better part of the past decade we – game consumers, makers,
sellers and creators – have been waiting for the results of an unbiased,
longitudinal and comprehensive study to be done which will inform us about the
potential harmful effects of entertainment products on our children.
Unfortunately, with the report published in the latest issue of Pediatrics, we
remain wanting,” said Hal Halpin, president of the Entertainment Consumers
Association (ECA), the non-profit organization which represents the rights of
video and computer gamers. “One of the ways in which our stance is likely very
different from others in the discussion on the subject is that the ECA would
encourage more and better research on the matter. The problem has been, and
apparently continues to be, that the agenda of the researchers supersedes our
want and need for inclusiveness of all media… not just games – for the overtly
sensationalistic spin that will inevitably be employed – to the exclusion of
music and movies. We remain optimistic that longitudinal research that is truly
comprehensive, objective and inclusive will be performed and shared, but sadly
that day has not yet come.”